Vanity case and analogous article



Oct. 17, 1933. AD. H. ZELL 1,931,216

l VANITY CASE AND ANALOGOUS ARTICLES Filed July 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR a Vid/7. Z6!! Oct. 17, 1933. D. H. ZELL VANITY CASE AND ANALOGOUS ARTICLES File'd July 23, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR dvzdCZ/Z du ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 17, 1933 UNITI-:D STATES VANITY CASE AND-ANalGoUs i navigli- Znll; BrokliWN- l Application July zs, 1930. semi No'. 469,99;

` (c1. en -ss) 6 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to vanity cases and analogous articles, and has fox its general object and purpose to provide an improved'latch construction and arrangement for a hinged top or closure for the body of the* case or receptacle,4

the location of which isy not discernible `from yvisual inspection, and which enables the. opposite portions ofthe case to be made of symmetrical ornamental contour. i

It is another and more particular 'object of `my invention to provide a concealed latch means for such articles wherein the'opposite ends ofthe case are of similar symmetrical ornamental out--v line or contour, andone of the case ends is provided with a part yieldable under pressure to actuate a movable latch element and` release the pivoted closure or cover forv the case for movement toits open position. In a practical embodiment of the invention, I provide opposite end walls or members stamped from sheet metal into suitable ornamental shape or form and suitably securedto the case body. One of these end members has a' yieldable wallA section normally positioned so that there is ex-` act symmetry in the outline contour and shape between the two case parts. Within the hollow ornamental end member or part of the case, a latch lever is arranged and normally held by a suitable spring in its latching position to engage an apertured lug or projection on the free end of the hinged cover or closure, saidyieldable wall section of the case part bearing upon one end of said lever and adapted upon application of pressure thereto, to move the latch lever to its releasing position.

.It is also one of the objects of my invention to provide a latch means for vanity cases and the like as above characterized which is simple in its construction, eiiicient and reliable in use and ca- 40 pable of being easily and accurately assembled with the other parts of the case.

With the above and other objects vin view, the invention consists in the improved vanity case or analogous article, and in theform, construction and relative arrangement of the several parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claims. In the drawings, wherein I have illustrated several simple and practical embodimentsof the invention, and in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,-- Figure l is a plan view of my improved vanity case,`the hinged cover or closure being latchel'll in itsclosed position;. Fig. 2 is an enlarged end elevation thereof; 3 is a fragmentary horizontal *sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; 60

Fig. 4 isa fragmentary plan view partly in l section showing the movable latch member'ln 'its releasing position; Y Fig. 5 isja fragmentary longitudinal section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1';` i

Fig. 6 isa detail perspective view of the latchv lever and spring shown'in Fig. 4; 'i

Fig. 7 is a' fragmentary horizontal sectional view, showing aslightly modified form `of the invention;` Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a vanitycase of somewhat different designA in connection with whlch'analternative embodiment of the invention is employed;

.Fig.'9 is'a detail vertical section taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8, showing such alternative construction;

Fig. 10 is a detail' perspective view of thelatter form of the device; y Fig. 1l is a plan view of -the sheet `metal blank from which the latch element and its actuating means are formed, andl v' Fig. "1 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectionv showing an application of the alternative construction of Figs. 9 to 11 to a somewhat different design of the case. Referring in detail tothe drawings, andfor the present more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 thereof,` the body of the vcase is formed from a. plurality of sheet metal stampings, one of'which includes the bottom wall 5` and longitudinal side walls 8, each of the latter having an inwardly and downwardly bent upper edge' portion between which and the side wall, the "edge of a flexible sheet of fabricoid or imitation leather indicated at? is securely clamped or held, said ornamental flexible sheet completely covering the externalsurfaces of the bottom wall 5 and the side walls 6 of the case body. The other sections of the case bodyl comprisethe two similarly formed end members 8. These members are hollow channel shaped-sheet metal stampings which are preferably, though not necessarily, of the same external shape or contour. For the purpose of securely attaching these end members tothe body ofthe case", I provide the end flanges'eof said members with the bendable tongues' shown at 9.i ,After'one end ofthe bottom wall 5 andtheside walls `6 are ttedinto the channel shaped endmember 8,-the `tongues l) ius' project inwardly through apertures i0 provided 110 v adjacent the ends of the side walls 6 and are bent over or clinched upon the inner faces of said walls, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Within the body of the case, an angular metal frame 11 is positioned upon the bottom wall 5 thereof, and may be rigidly fixed with respect to the case body by means of suitable tongues shown at 12 which are struck upwardly from the bottom wall of the case and clinched over upon thehorizontal anges of the frame 11. One end o1' this frame is provided with a laterally projecting flange 13 which underlies one of the longitudinal marginal flanges of one of the end members 8 of the case. Below this fiange, and approximately midway between its ends, the vertical end wall of the frame 11 is provided with a suitable opening y shown at 14 to receive the movable latch element to be later referred to. t

Upon the other end of the frame 1l, the' cover or closure 15 is mounted at one of its ends: by meansof a suitable spring hinge indicated at 16. This cover may be provided upon its inner face with `a mirror indicated at 17. .At its free end, the metal frame of the closure 15 is provided centrally thereof with an angularlyprojecting lug 18 having an aperture 19 therein.

The case construction and the mounting of the door as above described, is largely suggestive, and

' it will be understood as the description proceeds that the essential features of my present improvements are likewise applicable to cases of various other constructions and designed for a wide variety of different uses. y t

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, each of the sheet metal end members 8 has its wall stamped or formed to provide la central ornamental portion 20, a concave portion 21 at each side thereof and an outwardly curved convex portion 22 at the outer end of each of the cavities 21. One of the members 8 at one side' of its center has its `wall cut or slit as shown at 23 in Fig. 2 of the drawings, to separate or freethe convex projection 22, the opposite side portions of the slit also extending along the concave portion.21 of said member to its approximate center. Thus, this part 22 of the member 8 will resiliently yield under a pressure applied thereto. Normally, the outer surface of said yieldable part 22 will occupy `a position 1n symmetrical relation tothe other parts 22 of the members 8, and the separating slit 23 is hardly discernible except upon close inspection.

Within the channel of the member 8 having the yieldable wall portion 22, alongitudinally extending movable latch member 24 is arranged and a suitable leaf spring 25 is fixed at one of itstends toone end of said latch member and bears at its otherend against the endwall of the frame 1l. The member 24 may be in the form vof a lever having bearingy contact as at 26A upon the inner convex surface'of, the part 21 of the member 8 while-the outer free end of the yieldable portion 22 has Contact with said lever adjacent the outer end thereof as shown at 2'7. Thisv end of the lever is provided with an angularly disposed lug 28, whichby contact with the frame 11, limits rocking movement of said lever from its normal position and inward movement of the part 22. v

The other or inner end of the latch lever 24 is provided upon its upper edge with an angularly disposed iingeror tongue 29 projecting through the opening 14 in the wall of the frame 11 and adapted-for engagement in the aperture 19 of the latch lug 18- on the end of the closure 15. It will be noted that the lug 18 is inclined so that as the closure 15 is moved to its closed position, it will exert a camming pressure upon the extremity of the ringer or tongue 29 rocking the lever 24 until the closure is in its fully closed position, when said latch finger will snap into the opening 19 of said lug.

r In the operation of the device as above described, in order' to obtain access to the case, it is only necessary to apply slight pressure with the nger against the yieldable part 22 so that the movable latch element or lever 24 will be moved against the action of spring 25 to the positionshown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, thereby withdrawing the nger or tongue 29 of said lever from the opening 19, whereupon the cover or closure for the case is swung upwardly to its open positionv by the spring hinge 16. It will be noted that the possible movement of the lever 24 limited by engagement of the lug 28 in the frame 11 is insufficient to completely withdraw the latch nger 29 from the opening 14. This fact, in addition to the friction'al contact of the lever at the points 26 and 27 will eifectually obviate any possibility 'of `longitudinal shifting movement of the latch leverl and itsdisplacement from proper operating position. 'v i In Fig. 7 of the drawings, I have shown ajslight variation of the above described constructionin which instead of providing the latch spring 25 as a separateelement and' securing the 'same at one of its ends tothe lever 2,4, I may strike out a longitudinallyextending spring tongue 25' from theA vertical end wall of the frame 1l, said tongue being suitably shaped or formed to exert a yielding bearing pressure at its free end against the latch lever.

In the above description, it will be seen that I have provided a secret latch for such vanity cases,` simple in the construction of its mechanical partsy and reliable and efficient in itsfunctional operation. Since there are no externally projecting latch operating means necessary for the actuation of the movable latch element,'I am enabled to provide a case, in which the opposite members or sections 8 thereof will be absolutely symmetrical in external shape or contour, thus enhancing the attractive appearance of the case. However, it is also desirable that some means should be provided so that the user of the case may quickly locate the proper part 22 which functions as the actuating means for the movable latch element. One such'means I have herein indicated in the form "of card pips which may be embossed or otherwise delineated on the opposite ends of the members 8 at the open side of the case as shown at 30. Thus the user ascertaining or being apprised of the fact that the diamond pip or symbol is adjacent to the proper part 22 to be operated may easily and quickly actuate the latch device when access to the case is desired. The depressions or cavities 21 of the end members 8 also provide convenient means for receiving the fingers of the hand so as to securely grip and support the open case in position for use.

In Figs. 8, 9 and ll() of the drawings, I have illustrated. an alternative form of my invention which is particularly designed for use in connection with caseshaving end members 8 of other ornamental forms or contours, and yin which yit is desirable vthat the actuating part for the latch shall be centrally located. Thus in Fig. y8, I show the case having the end members 8', one of which is provided with three channel sections of successively decreasing area and of rectangular form, thus giving a stepped or serrated appearance to the end of the case. The other ofthe end members 8' is provided with two of such channel shaped portions, the outer one of which has a centrally located rectangular opening 31- in its wall. The movable latching element, and the actuating part therefor, in this construction is preferably produced in the form of a single sheet metal stamping. `The sheet metal blank consists of a relatively wide strip having parts thereof at one end cut and relatively bent to provide a rectangular head 32. This head is adapted to project outwardly through the opening 3l and at its upper side is provided with an upwardly extending stop flange 3 3 adapted by contact with the wall of the member 8', to limit the outward movement of said head through the opening. At the ldwer side of the head 32, this sheet metal plate is angularly bent to provide a foot portion 34, at the extremity of which and centrally thereof, the relatively narrow upwardly projecting latch arm 35 is provided, said arm terminating in the angular tongue or finger 36 movable through the opening in the vertical wall of the frame 11 to cooperate with the latching lug 18 on the hinged cover or closure for the case.

Below the opening 14 through which the latch finger 36 projects, the wall of the frame 11 has a short lug or tongue 37 struck outwardly therefrom and with which the yieldable latch arm `35 is in bearing contact. This fulcrum lug for the latch arm is located somewhat below the center of the head 32.

The operation of the above described form of the invention will be readily understood. From reference to Fig. 8,l it will be seen that in its normal position, the projecting head 32 corresponds exactly to the smallest of the rectangular portions of the member 8' at the opposite end of the case. When this movable head is pressed inwardly, the foot portion 34 connected therewith, slides upon the bottom wall of the case towards the end of frame 11, thus causing the arm 35 to be pressed against the lug 37 so that said arm will resiliently yield or bend at its connection with the foot 34, thereby retracting or withdrawing the finger 36 onthe upper end of said arm from the opening of the lug 18 on the cover or closure, whereupon said closure is moved to its open position. For the purpose of enabling the user to instantly locate the end of the case provided with the movable latch actuating part 32, in this form of the invention, I have shown the door or closure provided on its outer side with the marginal metal frame and at its inner side and at one end thereof, said frame may be omamentally cut or notched as at 38 in a manner somewhat different from the ornamentation at the opposite end of said frame.

In Fig. 12 of the drawings,- I have indicated the application of the last'described embodiment of the device to another different design of the case ends 8, in which the actuating element or part 32' for the latch is in the form of a semispherical button formed in one end of the sheet metal blank, the convex side of which protrudes outwardly through the central opening 31 in the end member of the case bottom between opposite symmetrically formed curved parts 39 thereof. 'Ihis button at its edge has a narrow flange indicated at 40 limiting outward projection thereof through the opening 31. Thus the convex surface of this button may be readily formed to harmoniously blend with the outer surfaces of the curved parts 39 of the case member. Of

course, it will be understood that these forms for the end members of the case andthe latcli actuating part are merelysuggestive, and it is possible to also embody the same in numerous other ornamental configurations. Y

From the foregoing description considered in connection withl the accompanying drawings, the construction, manner of operation and several advantages of the described forms of my present improvements willrbe clearly understood. It will be evident that with a concealed latch operating means of `this kind, vanity cases and other analogous articles may be produced in various highly ornamental forms, offering a strong appeal to the esthetic sensibilities of the prospective purchaser. In each of the constructions herein referred to, it will be appreciated that the latch means is capable of very easy and quick assemblage with the other parts of the case in the construction thereof. Also the mechanical parts of the latch means, are of simple and durable form so that the device will be reliable in use and not likely to get out of order. Although I have herein described several practical and advantageous forms of my present improvements, it is nevertheless to be understood that the device is-also susceptible of embodiment in various other alternative structures, and I accordingly reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes therein as may be fairly incorporated within the spirit and scope oi' the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A case having a body including ornamental channel shaped end members of symmetrical form and a hinged closure for said case, latch means for said closure housed within one of the channel shaped end members, and said end mem-- ber having a resiliently yieldable wall section integral therewith and operable under pressure to actuate said latch means and release the closure for movement to open position, said wall section assuming its normal position independently of the latch means and having an outer exposed surface forming part of the ornamental outline contour of said end member.

2. A case having a body including ornamental channel shaped end members of symmetrical form and a hinged closure for said case, latch means fox` said closure housed within one of the channel shaped end members, said end member having a resiliently. yieldable wall section separated from said member along one end and `opposite side edges thereof and operable under pressure to actuate said latch means and release the closure for movement to open position, said wall section having an outer exposed surface forming part of the ornamental outline contour of said end member, and differentiable symbols on said end members adjacent the symmetrical ornamental parts thereof whereby said latch actuating part may be readily located.

3. A case including a body having channel shaped end sections closing said body at its opposite ends, a frame secured within said body between the end sections, a hinged closure for the case mounted on said frame, and latching means for said closure mounted within one of the channel shaped end members independently of the frame and having a part engageable with a complementary part on the closure and movable through an opening in one wall of said frame.

4. A vanity case having a bodyincluding channel shaped sheet metal end members and a hinged closure for said case, each of said end members having a wall of ornamental contour providing spaced inger receiving concavities thereimlatch means forthe closure mounted within one of said end members of the case, and'said case member having an integral part of its wall forming one of r said concavities resliently yieldable under pressure and coacting with said latch means to actuate ine same and release the closure for movementl m open position.

5. A-case having a body and a hinged closure, channel shaped sheet metal members closing opposite endsof the case body one of said members and the case body having co-acting means de` achfably securing said parts in assembled relation, i ad latch means for the closure removably housed latch unit and coacting therewith to operate thesame to closure releasing position.

DAVID H. ZELL. 

